8.3 Short-term and long-term effects of cannabis use
2 min read•august 9, 2024
Cannabis use impacts both short-term experiences and long-term health. Acute effects include , , and impaired cognition. These immediate changes can affect decision-making and motor skills, potentially leading to risky behaviors.
Chronic use may result in , cognitive deficits, and health issues. Long-term effects can impact , , and mental health. Understanding these consequences is crucial for making informed decisions about cannabis use.
Acute Effects
Euphoria and Altered Perception
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- Euphoria manifests as intense feelings of pleasure and well-being
- Heightened sensory perception alters visual, auditory, and tactile experiences
- Time distortion occurs, making minutes feel like hours
- , commonly known as "the munchies," stimulates food cravings
- Laughter and talkativeness become more frequent and intense
Cognitive and Motor Impairments
- affects ability to retain new information
- Attention and concentration deficits lead to difficulty focusing on tasks
- increases risk-taking behaviors
- reduces reaction time and coordination
- Decreased ability to perform complex tasks (driving, operating machinery)
Psychological Effects
- can range from mild uneasiness to severe panic attacks
- manifests as unfounded suspicions or fear of others
- Mood swings may occur, alternating between euphoria and irritability
- creates a sense of detachment from one's body or thoughts
- (visual, auditory) possible at high doses
Chronic Effects
Dependence and Cannabis Use Disorder
- develops, requiring increased doses for desired effects
- include irritability, sleep disturbances, and decreased appetite
- characterized by inability to control consumption
- Preoccupation with obtaining and using cannabis interferes with daily life
- Continued use despite negative consequences (social, occupational, health)
Cognitive and Motivational Impacts
- Long-term memory deficits persist even after periods of abstinence
- Impaired affects planning, problem-solving, and decision-making
- reduces goal-directed behavior and productivity
- Decreased academic or occupational performance due to cognitive impairments
- Altered reward processing may lead to reduced interest in non-drug activities
Physical and Mental Health Consequences
- Respiratory issues from smoking (, increased risk of lung infections)
- Cardiovascular effects include increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Potential exacerbation of pre-existing mental health conditions (, )
- Increased risk of developing anxiety and depression disorders
- Possible link to and effects on reproductive health
Key Terms to Review (28)
Adolescents: Adolescents are individuals typically between the ages of 10 and 19 years, undergoing significant physical, emotional, and cognitive development. This stage of life is marked by a quest for identity, increased independence, and exposure to various influences, including peer pressure and substance use, which can have profound effects on their overall well-being and decision-making.
Altered perception: Altered perception refers to changes in the way an individual experiences and interprets sensory information, leading to a different understanding of reality. This can include distortions in visual and auditory experiences, time perception, and feelings of detachment from one's environment or self. When it comes to cannabis use, altered perception is a significant short-term effect that can affect cognition, mood, and behavior, impacting everyday activities and decision-making.
Amotivational syndrome: Amotivational syndrome is a condition characterized by a lack of motivation, apathy, and diminished interest in activities that were once enjoyable or important. It is often associated with long-term cannabis use, where individuals may experience reduced drive towards achieving personal goals, decreased productivity, and an overall sense of lethargy. This syndrome highlights the potential impact of chronic cannabis consumption on a person's motivation and cognitive functioning.
Anxiety: Anxiety is a psychological state characterized by feelings of tension, worry, and apprehension, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as increased heart rate and muscle tension. It can significantly influence neurotransmitter activity in the brain and impacts various physiological and psychological aspects of a person’s life, especially in the context of substance use and addiction.
Attention Deficits: Attention deficits refer to a decrease in the ability to maintain focus and sustain attention on tasks, often resulting in distractions and difficulties in completing activities. This condition can significantly impact cognitive functions and daily functioning, and it is commonly associated with various factors, including substance use, particularly cannabis. Understanding attention deficits is essential as they can be a short-term or long-term effect of cannabis consumption, affecting memory, learning, and overall cognitive performance.
Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These mood changes can affect sleep, energy, activity levels, judgment, behavior, and the ability to think clearly, significantly impacting daily life and functioning.
Cannabis use disorder: Cannabis use disorder is a condition characterized by an individual's inability to control their cannabis consumption despite experiencing negative consequences in their life. This disorder can lead to significant impairments in daily functioning and is associated with both short-term and long-term effects on mental health, cognitive abilities, and overall well-being.
Chronic bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis is a long-term inflammation of the bronchi, which are the air passages that connect the trachea to the lungs. This condition is characterized by persistent cough and production of mucus, and is often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can lead to significant respiratory issues and has been linked to various environmental factors, including smoking and air pollution.
Clinical Trials: Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate the safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing of new drugs or treatments in human participants. These trials are essential for determining how well a treatment works and for identifying any potential side effects, thus playing a crucial role in the development of psychopharmacological treatments.
Cognitive impairment: Cognitive impairment refers to a decline in cognitive function, which can affect memory, attention, and the ability to think clearly. This condition can be influenced by various factors including substance use, neurological disorders, and mental health conditions, making it a significant concern in understanding how drugs interact with the brain and impact behavior.
Dependence: Dependence refers to a state in which an individual requires a substance, like drugs or alcohol, to function normally, often leading to physical and psychological reliance. This condition is characterized by tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, where the absence of the substance triggers negative effects on the body and mind. Understanding dependence is crucial because it highlights the complexities of addiction, health risks, and the neurological changes brought about by substance use.
Depersonalization: Depersonalization is a psychological phenomenon where an individual feels detached from their own thoughts, feelings, or sense of self, often experiencing a sense of unreality. This condition can manifest during acute stress or anxiety and can be exacerbated by substance use, including cannabis. When cannabis is used, some users report episodes of depersonalization that may alter their perception of reality and impact their ability to function in everyday situations.
Euphoria: Euphoria is a state of intense happiness and well-being, often associated with the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. It can occur naturally during moments of joy or can be artificially induced through the use of various substances. This elevated mood can significantly influence both physiological and psychological responses, affecting how individuals perceive pain, stress, and pleasure.
Executive functioning: Executive functioning refers to a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks successfully. These skills are essential for self-regulation and decision-making, impacting daily activities and overall functioning. In the context of cannabis use, executive functioning plays a crucial role in understanding how short-term and long-term cannabis consumption can influence cognitive abilities and behavioral outcomes.
Hallucinations: Hallucinations are perceptual experiences that occur without any external stimulus, where an individual perceives something that isn't present in reality. These experiences can involve any of the senses, including sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Hallucinations can result from various factors, including substance use, mental health disorders, and neurological conditions, often leading to significant alterations in an individual's perception of reality.
Impaired decision-making: Impaired decision-making refers to a decreased ability to make rational choices and judgments, often influenced by cognitive distortions or external factors such as substance use. This phenomenon is particularly significant in understanding how cannabis affects an individual's cognitive functioning, impacting their ability to evaluate risks and rewards effectively.
Increased Appetite: Increased appetite refers to a heightened desire to eat, which can occur as a short-term effect of cannabis use. This phenomenon is commonly associated with the consumption of cannabis, often leading to what is popularly known as 'the munchies.' The mechanism behind this increased appetite involves the interaction of cannabinoids with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating hunger and satiety.
Longitudinal studies: Longitudinal studies are research methods that involve repeated observations of the same variables over long periods, allowing researchers to track changes and developments in participants over time. This approach is essential for understanding the long-term effects of behaviors, such as substance use, and can provide insight into trends, causality, and patterns in health and psychological outcomes.
Memory: Memory is the cognitive process that involves the encoding, storing, and retrieving of information over time. It plays a critical role in learning, decision-making, and overall cognitive function, particularly when considering the effects of cannabis use on both short-term and long-term memory capabilities.
Motivation: Motivation is the psychological process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. It drives individuals to act in certain ways to achieve specific outcomes, playing a crucial role in learning, performance, and behavior change. The understanding of motivation is closely tied to various neurotransmitters that influence how we feel and act, and can also be impacted by substance use, such as cannabis, affecting our drive and reward systems.
Paranoia: Paranoia is an intense and irrational belief that one is being persecuted, targeted, or conspired against, often leading to feelings of distrust and suspicion towards others. It can manifest both as a psychological condition and as a symptom of various mental health disorders. Understanding paranoia is crucial in the context of physiological and psychological effects of substances, as well as in evaluating the short-term and long-term impacts of cannabis use on mental health.
Pregnant women: Pregnant women are individuals who are carrying a developing fetus in their womb, typically lasting about 40 weeks from conception to delivery. This unique physiological state can significantly influence a woman's health and the health of her unborn child, making it crucial to understand how various substances, including cannabis, can impact both short-term and long-term outcomes for them and their babies.
Psychomotor impairment: Psychomotor impairment refers to the decreased ability to coordinate physical movements and cognitive processes, often resulting in slower reaction times and reduced motor skills. This condition can significantly affect an individual's performance in activities that require focus, coordination, and quick decision-making, particularly in the context of substance use. Cannabis use, for example, has been linked to both short-term and long-term psychomotor impairment, affecting driving ability and everyday tasks.
Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It often involves symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired functioning. Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia helps illuminate its connections to neurotransmitter activity, synaptic transmission, perception, consciousness, and even the effects of substances like cannabis on mental health.
Short-term memory impairment: Short-term memory impairment refers to a temporary inability to retain and manipulate information for brief periods, typically lasting from seconds to minutes. This condition affects an individual's capacity to hold onto information long enough to use it, impacting everyday activities such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. When related to cannabis use, this impairment can manifest as difficulty in recalling recent events or processing new information while under the influence.
Testicular cancer: Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the male reproductive glands known as the testes. It is considered one of the most common cancers among young men, typically affecting those between the ages of 15 and 35. Understanding its relationship with cannabis use is crucial, as research has suggested potential links between cannabis and various health outcomes, including reproductive health.
Tolerance: Tolerance is a physiological process where the body's response to a drug decreases over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. This can significantly impact an individual's experience with substances and is closely linked to concepts like dose-response relationships, dependence, and addiction.
Withdrawal Symptoms: Withdrawal symptoms are physical and psychological effects that occur when an individual reduces or stops the intake of a substance on which they have become dependent. These symptoms can vary widely depending on the substance involved and can significantly affect the individual's health and well-being, highlighting the challenges associated with addiction, tolerance, and dependence.